Essays, Reviews, Commentary, and Original Scholarship. A Film Blog that strives to be Art.

Friday, July 20, 2012

The Dark Knight Rises spoiler discussion thread...

So it's midnight on the West Coast, which means the first midnight showings are just letting out on the East Coast. Okay, you know the drill. Here's hoping I have more comments here than I did for The Amazing Spider-Man. Anyway, I'm actually going to be away from my keyboard for a couple days, but I'll *try* to do a weekend box office write-up on Sunday morning. Until then, it's officially open season for anyone who saw the third and final Chris Nolan Batman film. You've heard my thoughts, now time to share yours, in as much detail as you desire.

First of all, Scott, I hate you for always (usually) being right. Sigh. That said, My Dark Knight Rises review: entertaining, but predictable, looks great but nothing jumps out like The Joker did. Tom Hardy does a great Bane, but all Bane does is blow stuff up, which gets old after a while. There are also way to many wtf plot holes in the finale/wrap up. See in IMAX if you can, it'll make a difference I suspect. Oh, and easily the bloodiest Batman - despite the Bat's ethic, everybody else is shooting, stabbing, hang and blowing people up left and right, all of which is offset only for a few moments by Anne Hathaway on the Batcycle. Me-ow. Oh, and the big reveal was so obvious the only curiosity was wondering when they would play the card. The more I think about TDKRises the less I guess I liked it. But never left Michael Caine retire, ever. From The Swarm to Beyond The Poseidon Adventure to whatever in between, he believes. He believes.

And why is Matthew Modine (and his character) even in the movie, what does it add? He's neither cool, nor fun, nor funny. and if you cut all his scenes, the entire arc, you lose 20 mins and have a tighter film. Not that I know, but ya know.

TDKR is now my favorite of Nolan's trilogy. I absolutely loved it despite a few points.I thought the way JGL's character realized Batman's identity was ridiculous and insulting to every other citizen of Gotham.Bane was fantastic, but they turned him into a pathetic guard dog at the end. He deserved better.Oh and that prison didn't seem so bad.Absolutely loved it though. Hopefully it holds up better than TDK has for me after watching it one million times.

The ending was absolutely deplorable. It debased all the ideology/theology of the first two films. It erased all impact and consequence. There seemed as if Nolan put it there as a cruel joke that despite all posturing that this series is supposed to represent Hollywood machinations always win in the end.

I seem in the minority; I thought Miss Hathaway woefully miscast. Her talents are apparent from films such as Brokeback Mountain and Rachel Getting Married but she does not posses the physicality necessary for this role. Partial blame must be attributed to Nolan for writing a sycophantic character. Also Pfeiffer’s shadow looms large and menacing to all 90's Batman fans. Nonetheless, Hathaway cannot articulate the smug charm coupled with a devil may care sensibility needed for a titillating and provoking catwoman.

The idea of a villain that spouts popularist slogans that resemble real calls for reform and justice while actually just pursuing destruction and revenge reminds me of Sallust's "Conspiracy of Catiline" from about 41 BCE.

And lemme get this straight, after Bane breaks the bat, they smuggle him out of Gotham, halfway around the world, throw him in prison, mess with him a bit, he heals, recovers, then travels with no money or ID around the world back, and smuggles himself into Gotham, all while Gotham is the most guarded and surrounded location on the planet.

On this we agree. Again, the film falters by using major characters/big stars to represent various factions of Gotham. In this case, all of the 'good people who do nothing' is represented by one of the top cops in the city, not exactly an 'every man'.

It's not selfish, not at all. We (mostly) come here to talk movies, and one of the biggest films of the summer just opened. I would no more expect us to refrain from discussing the movies then I would expect baseball fans to not talk about box stats from the week's games. Respect must be paid, but otherwise the show must go on.

Because it is possible to re-edit essays after they have been posted, please feel free to alert me to any typos, grammar issues, and questions of factual accuracy, preferably by email and not in the comments section. And, also, since I often embed video clips, please let me know if any said clips are no longer functioning. Thanks.

About Me

The basics - 31 years old, married with two children, currently residing in Woodland Hills, CA. I am simply a longtime film critic and pundit of sorts, especially in the realm of box office. The main content will be film reviews, trailer reviews, essays, and box office analysis and comparison. I also syndicate myself at The Huffington Post, Valley Scene Magazine, and Open Salon.
I will update as often as my schedule allows. Yes, I'm on Facebook/Twitter/LinkIn, so feel free to find me there. All comments are appreciated, just be civil and try to keep a level discourse, as I will make every effort to do the same.